Light-emitting device for projecting image onto ground around vehicle

Abstract

A light-emitting device (2) for projecting an image onto the ground surrounding a motor vehicle (1), the light-emitting device comprising:-a light source (4) capable of generating a light beam (F); -a first mask (5) comprising a first pattern (21) and a second pattern (22, 23), the first mask being movable between a first position and a second position; a second mask (6) comprising a third pattern (31) and a fourth pattern (32, 33), the second mask being movable between a first position and a second position; an actuator (12) configured to move the first mask between its first position and its second position; -drive means (18) configured to optionally move the second mask simultaneously with the first mask between its first position and its second position.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, the lighting device being configured to project an image, such as a pictogram, onto the ground. Background art

[0002] Some motor vehicles are equipped with lighting devices that are configured to project an image onto the ground around the vehicle. These lighting devices include a light source and a mask, or a slide that is locally illuminated by the light source in the illumination area. The mask includes a plurality of patterns arranged on its surface and is movable between as many positions as there are patterns. For each position of the mask, a different pattern exists in the illumination area, such that different images can be projected onto the ground. The images thus obtained can include pictograms intended to provide useful information to the user. For example, when the vehicle is a plug-in electric or hybrid vehicle, the image projected onto the ground can provide an indication of the state of charge of the vehicle's battery. The pictogram representing the state of charge of the battery can conventionally include a schematic depiction of battery cells having different levels, which are depicted as fully charged or discharged depending on the state of charge.

[0003] In order to transmit a wide range of information to the user of the vehicle, there is a quest to increase the number of patterns present on the mask. However, this requires the use of a mask of larger size. As a result, the space occupied by the lighting device increases and is incompatible with integration in locations on the vehicle where the available space is small, such as at the exterior rearview mirror of the vehicle or at the sill. Alternatively, in order to increase the number of patterns present on the mask, the size of each of these patterns can be reduced. However, reducing the size of the patterns on the mask results in the projected image being too small and / or blurred.

[0004] Introduction to the invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device and a method for using such a lighting device that remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks and improve the lighting devices and their methods of use known in the prior art.

[0006] More specifically, a first subject of the present invention is a lighting device that is both compact and allows a wide variety of images to be projected onto the ground. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a lighting device for projecting an image onto the ground around a motor vehicle, the lighting device including a housing that houses at least:

[0008] - a light source capable of generating a light beam,

[0009] - A first mask including a first pattern and at least one second pattern, the first mask being movable between a first position and at least a second position, wherein when the first mask is in its first position, the first pattern is positioned to pass through a light beam, and when the first mask is in its second position, the second pattern is positioned to pass through the light beam.

[0010] - A second mask including a third pattern and at least one fourth pattern, the second mask being movable between a first position and at least a second position, wherein when the second mask is in its first position, the third pattern is positioned to pass through a light beam, and when the second mask is in its second position, the fourth pattern is positioned to pass through the light beam.

[0011] - An actuator configured to move the first mask between its first position and at least its second position, and

[0012] - A drive device configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and at least its second position simultaneously with the first mask.

[0013] The first mask and the second mask may be rotatably movable about the same axis.

[0014] The first mask may have a generally circular shape, and the patterns of the first mask are distributed around the center of the first mask. The second mask may have a generally circular shape, and the patterns of the second mask are distributed around the center of the second mask.

[0015] The first mask may extend in a first plane, and the second mask may extend in a second plane, the second plane being parallel to and offset from the first plane.

[0016] The first pattern may include at least one opaque region and at least one transparent region. The second pattern may include at least one opaque region and at least one transparent region.

[0017] The third pattern and / or the fourth pattern may include at least one opaque region having a shape substantially similar to the shape of at least one transparent region of the first pattern and / or at least one transparent region of the second pattern, and the opaque region of the third pattern and / or the opaque region of the fourth pattern can extend face to face with at least one transparent region of the first pattern and / or at least one transparent region of the second pattern.

[0018] The first pattern and / or the second pattern may include at least one opaque region, a first transparent region, and at least one second transparent region, the second transparent region being separated from the first transparent region by the opaque region of the first mask, the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern including a transparent region and an opaque region, the transparent region of the third pattern and / or the transparent region of the fourth pattern being capable of extending face-to-face with the first transparent region of the first pattern and / or the first transparent region of the second pattern, and the opaque region of the third pattern and / or the opaque region of the fourth pattern being capable of extending face-to-face with the second transparent region of the first pattern and / or the second transparent region of the second pattern.

[0019] The drive means may include a first stop fastened to the first mask, the first stop cooperating with a second stop fastened to the second mask such that when the first stop abuts against the second stop, movement of the first mask causes movement of the second mask.

[0020] The drive means may include an electromagnetic device configured to optionally fasten the second mask to the first mask and / or to an element fastened to the actuator.

[0021] The first mask may be rotatable between its first position and its second position, the drive means being configured such that:

[0022] - rotating the first mask from its first position to its second position in a first rotation direction causes movement of the second mask, and

[0023] - rotating the first mask from its first position to its second position in a second rotation direction opposite to the first direction does not cause movement of the second mask. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] These subjects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be elaborated in detail in the following description of specific embodiments given by way of non-limiting example in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle equipped with a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a first mask of the lighting device.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a second mask of the lighting device.

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the first mask and the second mask superimposed in a first configuration.

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic view of the first mask and the second mask superimposed in a second configuration.

[0030] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the first mask and the second mask overlapping in the third configuration.

[0031] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the first mask and the second mask overlapping in the fourth configuration.

[0032] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the first mask and the second mask overlapping in the fifth configuration.

[0033] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the first mask and the second mask overlapping in the sixth configuration.

[0034] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the first mask and the second mask overlapping in the seventh configuration.

[0035] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the first mask and the second mask overlapping in the eighth configuration.

[0036] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the first mask and the second mask overlapping in the ninth configuration.

[0037] Figure 13 It is a schematic top view of a vehicle and a first image projected by a lighting device beside the vehicle.

[0038] Figure 14 It is a schematic top view of a vehicle and a second image projected by a lighting device beside the vehicle.

[0039] Figure 15 It is a schematic top view of a vehicle and a third image projected by a lighting device beside the vehicle. Detailed implementation

[0040] Figure 1 Schematically depicts a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1 can be, for example, a passenger car, a multi-purpose vehicle, a truck or even a bus. The vehicle 1 includes a lighting device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting device 2 is configured to project an image onto the ground around the vehicle 1. For example, the image can be projected onto the ground dozens of centimeters away along one side of the vehicle. The lighting device 2 can be attached to the vehicle, for example, at an external rearview mirror of the vehicle or at a sill of the vehicle. The image projected onto the ground can include information about the vehicle state and / or the vehicle surrounding environment. Advantageously, the image projected onto the ground takes the form of one or more pictograms.

[0041] The lighting device 2 includes a housing (not shown) that houses at least one light source 4 capable of generating a light beam F, a first mask 5, and a second mask 6. The first mask 5 and the second mask 6 are at least partially located in the path of the light beam F.

[0042] Note that the enumerative adjectives "first", "second", etc. characterized in this document do not characterize the order relationship between the different objects they involve, but only aim to distinguish them from each other.

[0043] The light source 4 can be, for example, a light-emitting diode or a set of light-emitting diodes. Alternatively, the light source can take any other form, such as an incandescent bulb. Advantageously, the light source can have sufficient power to project an image onto the ground, which is visible even in broad daylight. Preferably, the light source 4 can project white light. The light source 4 can be connected to a printed circuit board 7. The printed circuit board can be held by a support 8 that may include a heat sink. The lighting device 2 is not intended to produce night lighting of the vehicle's surroundings or to make the vehicle clearly visible to other road users. Thus, the lighting device 2 is distinguished from the headlights that are typically fitted to a vehicle and have high beams and / or low beams.

[0044] The lighting device 2 further includes an optical waveguide 10 disposed between the light source 4 and a portion of the first mask 5. The optical waveguide 10 is configured to direct light rays from the light source 4 towards a portion of the first mask 5. Thus, according to the presented embodiment, the lighting device 2 includes an illumination area Z1 for illuminating the first mask 5, and only that portion of the first mask 5 located in the illumination area Z1 contributes to projecting an image onto the ground. An illumination area Z2 for illuminating the second mask 6 can also be defined as the illumination area Z1 projected onto the second mask along the path of the light rays. The optical waveguide 10 can be, for example, an optical waveguide member, a collimator, an illumination lens, or any type of optical component capable of collecting and / or guiding light.

[0045] The first mask 5 includes a first pattern and at least one second pattern. The first mask 5 is movable between a first position and a second position. Specifically, the first mask is movable between as many positions as it has patterns. For each different position of the first mask, the different patterns of the first mask are positioned in the illumination area Z1 by the light beam F.

[0046] Similarly, the second mask 6 includes a third pattern and at least one fourth pattern. The second mask 6 is movable between a first position and a second position. Specifically, the second mask is movable between as many positions as it has patterns. For each different position of the second mask, the different patterns of the second mask are positioned in the illumination area Z2 by the light beam F.

[0047] The patterns of the first mask 5 and the second mask 6 are configured to intercept or filter light rays from the light source 4 in order to produce an image. The image finally projected onto the ground is produced by the combination of the patterns of the first mask and the second mask positioned by the light beam.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the first mask 5 and the second mask 6 can be rotationally moved about the same axis X. The first mask has a generally circular shape, and the pattern of the first mask is distributed around the center O1 of the first mask, in particular in different angular sectors of the first mask. Similarly, the second mask has a generally circular shape, and the pattern of the second mask is distributed around the center O2 of the second mask, in particular in different angular sectors of the second mask. An advantage of such an embodiment is that the volume occupied by the first mask and the second mask does not vary according to their orientation. Thus, the light-emitting device 2 can remain very compact. The diameter of each mask 5, 6 can be, for example, between 1 cm and 5 cm (including the end values).

[0049] The first mask 5 extends in a first plane P1, and the second mask 6 extends in a second plane P2. The plane P1 in which the first mask 5 extends in its first position can be the same as the plane in which the first mask extends in its second position. Advantageously, the plane P2 in which the second mask 6 extends in its first position can be the same as the plane in which the second mask extends in its second position. The second plane P2 is parallel to the first plane P1 and offset with respect to the first plane. Specifically, the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 are perpendicular to the axis X. The second mask is positioned behind the first mask along the direction of propagation of the light. Thus, the pattern of the second mask is intended to be superimposed on the pattern of the first mask to produce an image resulting from the combination of the two patterns. Thus, all or some of the patterns in the pattern of the second mask can be combined with all or some of the patterns in the pattern of the second mask in order to produce a large number of different images.

[0050] According to different embodiment variants, the first mask and / or the second mask can be movable in a movement other than rotation, for example translatable. The first mask and / or the second mask can be rotationally movable about a point that is not necessarily the center of the first mask and / or the second mask. The first mask and / or the second mask can be rotationally movable about a point arranged at the edge of the first mask and / or, correspondingly, at the edge of the second mask. The first mask and / or the second mask can have a shape other than a circular shape, such as a polygonal shape. The second mask can be positioned in front of the first mask along the direction of propagation of the light.

[0051] An optical device 11 (such as a projection lens or a set of projection lenses) can be provided downstream of the masks 5, 6, i.e., on the other side of the masks 5, 6 away from the light source 4, in order to shape the light beam and direct it towards the ground, and / or correct color effects, and / or correct image distortion effects and / or improve sharpness.

[0052] In order to move the first mask 5 between its first position and its second position, the light-emitting device 2 includes an actuator 12 that is mechanically connected to the first mask 5. Specifically, the actuator 12 is an electric motor. The electric motor is located behind the printed circuit board 7 and behind the support 8. The electric motor includes a rotating shaft 13 that passes through an opening 14 made in the printed circuit board 7 and the support 8. The rotating shaft 13 extends along the axis X and is fixed to the center O1 of the first mask 5. According to an embodiment variant, the connection between the actuator 12 and the first mask 5 can be arranged differently. For example, the first mask 5 can be rotatably or slidably mounted on a support different from the actuator 12. The actuator can be mechanically connected to the edge of the first mask 5. The translational and / or rotational movement of the first mask 5 can be obtained by means of the interaction between a gear rigidly fastened to the actuator and a rack rigidly fastened to the first mask 5.

[0053] The printed circuit board 7 and the actuator 12 are electrically connected to an electronic control unit 15, which includes a memory 16 and a microprocessor 17. The memory 16 of the electronic control unit 15 is a data recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, the computer program including program code instructions for implementing a method for automatically controlling the light-emitting device 2. The microprocessor 17 is capable of executing the computer program. Specifically, the electronic control unit 15 is configured to control the turning on or off of the light source 4 and the rotation of the first mask. The electronic control unit 15 can also control the direction of rotation of the first mask.

[0054] The second mask 6 is mounted to rotate freely about the axis X. To this end, the second mask can be fixed to an element of the light-emitting device by means of a bearing (such as a rolling bearing). The light-emitting device can optionally include a resistance or a brake acting on the second mask, such that the second mask does not move too easily between its first position and its at least second position, for example under the action of vibrations of the light-emitting device.

[0055] The light-emitting device 2 also includes a drive device 18 that is configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and its second position simultaneously with the first mask. In other words, the light-emitting device 2 can be in two specific operating states: in the first operating state, the first mask can be freely moved by the actuator 12 without causing the second mask to move. In the second operating state, moving the first mask automatically causes the second mask to move.

[0056] The drive device 18 can be implemented in several ways. According to one embodiment, the drive device includes a first stop 19 fastened to the first mask 5, and the first stop 19 is capable of contacting a second stop 20 fastened to the second mask 6. When the first stop 19 contacts the second stop 20, subsequent movement of the first mask in the direction in which the first stop 19 bears against the second stop 20 causes the second mask to move. On the other hand, as long as the first stop 19 does not bear against the second stop 20, the first mask can move freely without causing the second mask to move. Thus, by adapting the movement direction of the first mask 5, the driving or non-driving of the second mask can be easily controlled. Specifically, in the case where the first mask and the second mask are rotatably movable, the selection of the rotation direction of the first mask between its first position and its second position is such that the second mask can be caused or not caused to move.

[0057] The first stop 19 and the second stop 20 can be arranged, for example, at the outer peripheries of the first mask and the second mask, respectively. The first stop 19 can project from the first mask 5 in the direction of the second mask, and / or the second stop 20 can project from the second mask 6 in the direction of the first mask 5. The first mask and / or the second mask can each include one or more stops. By using several stops on the same mask, a relatively small movement of the first mask can be sufficient to bring the stop of the first mask into contact with the stop of the second mask. On the other hand, using several stops on the same mask may potentially make it impossible to combine certain patterns of the first mask with certain patterns of the second mask.

[0058] As a variant or in addition, the drive device 18 can include an electromagnetic device configured to optionally fasten the second mask to the first mask 5 and / or an element of the actuator 12. For example, the second mask can be movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in the engaged position, the second mask is fastened to an element of the first mask or the actuator, and in the disengaged position, the second mask is neither fastened to the first mask nor to an element of the actuator. For example, the second mask 6 can be translatably movable parallel to the axis X between its disengaged position and its engaged position. In the engaged position, the stop means, friction surface or magnetized element of the second mask can cooperate with a conjugate means arranged on the first mask 5 or on the rotation axis 13 in order to be able to drive the second mask. In the disengaged position, these stop means, friction surface or magnetized element no longer cooperate with the conjugate means of the first mask or the rotation axis, so as to allow the first mask to rotate freely without driving the second mask. Alternatively, the first mask can be movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position.

[0059] Figure 2An embodiment of the first mask 5 is illustrated. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first mask includes three patterns 21, 22, 23 which, when illuminated by a light source, enable three different images to be projected onto the ground. The patterns 21, 22, 23 are distributed around the center O1. These patterns are distributed such that only one pattern can be found at a time in the illumination zone Z1. Note that the illumination zone Z1 has a circular shape. As a variant, the illumination zone can have any other shape, such as a generally polygonal shape, in particular a generally trapezoidal or pseudo-trapezoidal shape, and the light guide 10 is adapted accordingly. The number of patterns present on the first mask can be different, for example two patterns, four patterns, five patterns or even any number greater than or equal to six.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the patterns 21, 22, 23 respectively include an opaque zone 27 and a transparent zone 28. The opaque zone 27 (shown as the shaded area in Figure 2 is the zone that blocks or reflects the light rays from the light source 4. The opaque zone can be, for example, black or chrome-plated. The transparent zone 28 is the zone that allows the light rays from the light source 4 to pass through. The opaque zone 27 and the transparent zone 28 are complementary zones on the surface of the first mask 5. For example, the first mask 5 can include a transparent support, such as made of glass, which is locally covered by an opaque substrate deposited by lithography. Lithography advantageously enables high geometric precision to be obtained in the transparent and opaque zones. Alternatively, other methods can be envisaged, such as cutting openings in a support made of an opaque material, in particular by laser cutting. According to an embodiment variant, the patterns 21, 22, 23 can include translucent zones in order to produce an image projected onto the ground that includes more strongly or more weakly illuminated parts. The first mask can also include color filters to produce a color image.

[0061] The transparent area 28 has a shape, in particular a contour, suitable for projecting an image representing a pictogram onto the ground. Thus, the contour of each transparent area 28 is associated with the contour of the pictogram. In practice, the shape of the transparent area 28 can be adapted to take into account the geometric deformations associated with the projection of the light beam onto the ground, in particular taking into account the angle of incidence of the light on the ground. The pattern 21 can include the shape of three levels of battery cells, each level representing a battery charge level. Specifically, the pattern 21 includes four different transparent areas 28A, 28B, 28C, and 28D. The four transparent areas 28A, 28B, 28C, and 28D are separated from each other by opaque areas 27. In this case, the transparent area 28A represents the contour of the shape of the battery cell, and the transparent areas 28B, 28C, and 28D represent the battery charge of the battery cell, respectively. The pattern 22 can include three symbols in the form of arrows, and the pattern 23 can include three symbols in the form of snowflakes. As a variant, any other geometric shape, symbol, or pictogram can be envisaged. The maximum dimension of the transparent area 28 can be, for example, between 1 mm and 10 mm (including the end values). The pictogram projected onto the ground preferably has a simple geometric shape. The image projected by the lighting device is non-pixelated.

[0062] Figure 3 An embodiment of the second mask 6 is illustrated. With respect to the first mask, the second mask includes three parts intended to extend through the light beam F depending on the position of the second mask. Each part includes different patterns 31, 31, 33. The patterns 31, 31, 33 are distributed around the center O2. These patterns are distributed such that only one pattern can be found in the illumination area Z2 at a time. The number of patterns appearing on the second mask can be different, for example two patterns, four patterns, five patterns, or even any number greater than or equal to six.

[0063] The patterns 31, 32, 33 respectively include opaque areas 34 and / or transparent areas 35. The opaque areas 34 and the transparent areas 35 are complementary areas on the surface of the second mask 6. The pattern 31 includes only transparent areas. Thus, the pattern 31 does not block any light rays of the light beam passing through it. Thus, the pattern 31 makes it possible to project onto the ground an image produced only by the shape of the pattern of the first mask located in the illumination area Z1.

[0064] Patterns 32 and 33 are intended to locally mask the transparent areas of patterns 21, 22, and 23 in order to locally modify the image projected onto the ground. Pattern 32 includes an opaque area in the shape of a rectangle. The size of the opaque area of pattern 32 is suitable for positioning itself face to face with the transparent area 28D, and thus suitable for masking one level of pattern 21 and / or one of the three symbols of pattern 22 or pattern 23. Advantageously, the opaque area 34 of pattern 32 has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the transparent area 28D of pattern 21. This makes it possible to mask only the transparent area 28D without masking the other transparent areas 28A, 28B, and 28C. When pattern 21 is in the illumination zone Z1 and pattern 32 is in the illumination zone Z2, the transparent area 35 of pattern 32 extends face to face with the transparent areas 28A, 28B, and 28C. Therefore, the transparent areas 28A, 28B, and 28C are not masked. Thus, elements forming the pictogram projected onto the ground can be eliminated without altering or negatively affecting the appearance of other elements of the pictogram. Note that in the case where the light beam from the first mask diverges or converges, shapes of the opaque areas 34 of the second mask can be provided that are not identical but more or less similar to the shapes of the transparent areas of the first mask. As will be seen below, the opaque areas 34 of the patterns of the second mask can also be provided with dimensions that are larger than the transparent areas of the first mask that they are intended to cover in order to allow for an offset in terms of the positioning between the first mask and the second mask.

[0065] Pattern 33 includes an opaque area in the shape of a rectangle and its dimensions are larger than the dimensions of the opaque area of pattern 32. The size of the opaque area of pattern 33 is suitable for positioning itself face to face with the transparent areas 28C and 28D, and thus suitable for masking two levels of pattern 21 and / or two of the three symbols of pattern 22 or pattern 23.

[0066] By means of the drive device 18, the second mask 6 can be moved so that one of its patterns 31, 32, 33 is positioned to pass through the light beam F, that is to say positioned in the illumination zone Z2. Pattern 31 makes it possible to keep the image produced by the first mask unchanged. Patterns 32 and 33 make it possible to mask a greater or lesser part of the image produced by the first mask.

[0067] Figures 4 to 12 Nine possible configurations of the first mask and the second mask are illustrated. Figure 4FIG. illustrates a first configuration in which a first mask 5 and a second mask 6 are positioned such that patterns 21 and 31 are positioned by a light beam, that is, positioned in illumination regions Z1 and Z2, respectively. In this configuration, a first stopper 19 abuts against a second stopper 20. A light source 4 emits a light beam that is guided by an optical waveguide 10 and irradiates the first mask 5 in the illumination region Z1. Light rays incident on the opaque regions 27 of the first mask are reflected or absorbed. Light rays incident on the transparent regions 28A, 28, 28C, 28D of the first mask pass through the first mask and reach the second mask. Since the first pattern 31 of the second mask has no opaque regions, all light rays incident on the second mask 6 pass through the first pattern. Then, the light rays are guided toward the ground by an optical device 11. The resulting image shows a pictogram of a battery cell with all three levels full, as Figure 13 shown. This pictogram indicates that the vehicle battery is fully charged.

[0068] Starting from the first configuration, the actuator 12 can be controlled by an electronic control unit to cause the first mask 5 to pivot in a first rotational direction (corresponding to the clockwise direction in the figure), or conversely in a second direction (corresponding to the counterclockwise direction). Referring to Figure 5 , if the first mask 5 pivots counterclockwise by one-third of a turn, the first stopper 19 moves away from the second stopper 20, and the rotation of the first mask does not cause any rotation of the second mask. This rotation brings the pattern 22 of the first mask into the illumination region Z1. The pattern 31 of the second mask remains in place in the illumination region Z2. Thus, an image including three arrow-shaped symbols is projected onto the ground. Further rotation of the first mask counterclockwise by one-third of a turn causes the light-emitting device to move from the Figure 5 configuration to the configuration for Figure 6 . The pattern 23 of the first mask is in the illumination region Z1, and the pattern 31 of the second mask remains in place in the illumination region Z2. Thus, an image including three snowflake-shaped symbols is projected onto the ground.

[0069] Starting from the Figure 4 configuration, the first mask can also be controlled by the actuator to rotate clockwise by one-third of a turn. In this case, the first stopper 19 abuts against the second stopper 20, and rotating the first mask causes the second mask to rotate. Thus, the light-emitting device is in the new configuration shown in Figure 7 . The pattern 23 of the first mask is in the illumination region Z1, and the pattern 32 of the second mask is in the illumination region Z2. Thus, an image including two snowflake-shaped symbols is projected onto the ground.

[0070] Starting from Figure 7Starting from the configuration of, the first mask can be controlled by an actuator to rotate counterclockwise by one-third of a turn. The first stop 19 moves away from the second stop 20, and rotating the first mask does not cause the second mask to rotate. Thus, the light-emitting device is in the Figure 8 new configuration shown. The pattern 22 of the first mask is in the illumination area Z1, and the pattern 32 of the second mask is in the illumination area Z2. Then, the opaque area 34 of the pattern 32 of the second mask covers the transparent area 28D of the pattern 21 of the first mask. As can be seen in Figure 14 , an image of a battery cell in which only two of the three levels representing the battery cell are illuminated is thus projected onto the ground. This pictogram indicates that the vehicle battery is charged to two-thirds.

[0071] Conversely, starting from the Figure 7 configuration, the first mask can be controlled by an actuator to rotate clockwise by another one-third of a turn. The first stop 19 bears against the second stop 20, and rotating the first mask causes the second mask to rotate. Thus, the light-emitting device is in the Figure 9 new configuration shown. The pattern 22 of the first mask is in the illumination area Z1, and the pattern 33 of the second mask is in the illumination area Z2. Then, the opaque area 34 of the pattern 33 of the second mask covers two of the three symbols of the pattern 22. Thus, an image including a single arrow-shaped symbol is projected onto the ground. Starting from the Figure 9 configuration, rotating the first mask counterclockwise by one-third or two-thirds of a turn enables obtaining the Figure 10 and Figure 11 configurations respectively. Figure 10 The Figure 15 configuration causes an image representing a battery cell with a single level illuminated to be projected onto the ground, as visible in Figure 12 . The Figure 8 configuration can be obtained starting from the

[0072] configuration by pivoting the first mask counterclockwise by one-third of a turn.

[0073] Finally, the present invention thus proposes projecting an image onto the ground by superimposing two patterns belonging to two different masks. Advantageously, each pattern of the first mask can be combined with each pattern of the second mask to produce different images. Thus, the present invention enables obtaining a large number of different images from a limited number of patterns. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first mask and the second mask each include three patterns. As a variant, this number can be different. The number of patterns characterized on the first mask does not necessarily equal the number of patterns characterized on the second mask. If N designates the number of patterns present on the first mask and P designates the number of patterns present on the second mask, the number of different images can thus be up to N×P.

[0073] Note that the patterns 21, 22, 23 are advantageously formed by a plurality of transparent regions separated from each other by opaque regions. Thus, the lighting device 2 tolerates a certain degree of inaccuracy in the relative positioning of the first mask 5 and the second mask 6. Specifically, the opaque regions 34 of the second mask may be slightly offset relative to the transparent regions of the first mask that they cover, provided that despite the offset, the opaque regions of the second mask are large enough to cover the transparent regions of the first mask and they are not so large that they protrude into another transparent region of the first mask. Thus, the wider the opaque regions 27 separating the different transparent regions of the first mask, the more the lighting device will be able to tolerate a significant offset in the positioning between the first mask and the second mask without adversely affecting the quality of the image projected onto the ground.

[0074] Advantageously, when these stoppers bear against each other, the stoppers 19 and 20 make it possible to obtain a very good positioning of the second mask relative to the first mask. Thus, for certain configurations, regardless of the precision of the actuator 12, a very precise positioning of these masks can be obtained. Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, Figure 4 、 Figure 7 and Figure 9 the configurations of

[0075] benefit from this particularly precise relative positioning. Thus, for these configurations, the superimposition of patterns requiring a higher precision can be envisaged.

[0076] The light source can optionally be turned off when the first mask moves in order to mask the transition between the projected images. Regardless of the initial configuration, a new configuration can be obtained by rotating the first mask in one direction and then in the other direction. Advantageously, the memory 16 of the electronic control unit 15 can include a series of instructions that make it possible to obtain any configuration of the lighting device 2 starting from any other configuration. Thus, the positions of the first mask 5 and the second mask 6 can be controlled with a single actuator.

[0077] Note that, according to the illustrated embodiment, the light-emitting device includes two masks 5, 6. As a variant, the number of masks of the light-emitting device can be any number greater than or equal to two, such as three masks, four masks, or even more masks. For example, the light-emitting device can include a third mask that includes a fifth pattern and at least a sixth pattern, and the third mask is movable between a first position and at least a second position. When the third mask is in its first position, the fifth pattern is positioned to pass through the light beam, and when the third mask is in its second position, the sixth pattern is positioned to pass through the light beam. The light-emitting device can then include a first driving device and a second driving device. The first driving device is configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and its second position simultaneously with the first mask, and the second driving device is configured to optionally move the third mask between its first position and its second position simultaneously with the first mask and / or simultaneously with the second mask.

Claims

1. A lighting device (2) for projecting an image onto the ground around a motor vehicle (1), said lighting device comprising: - a light source (4) capable of generating a light beam (F), - a first mask (5) including a first pattern (21) and at least one second pattern (22, 23), said first mask being movable between a first position and at least a second position, when the first mask is in its first position, the first pattern is positioned to pass through the light beam, when the first mask is in its second position, the second pattern is positioned to pass through the light beam, - a second mask (6) including a third pattern (31) and at least one fourth pattern (32, 33), said second mask being movable between a first position and at least a second position, when the second mask is in its first position, the third pattern is positioned to pass through the light beam, when the second mask is in its second position, the fourth pattern is positioned to pass through the light beam, - an actuator (12) configured to move the first mask between its first position and at least its second position, - drive means (18) configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and at least its second position simultaneously with the first mask.

2. The lighting device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first mask (5) and the second mask (6) are rotatably movable about the same axis (X).

3. The lighting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mask (5) has a generally circular shape, the patterns (21, 22, 23) of the first mask are distributed around the center (O1) of the first mask, and / or the second mask (6) has a generally circular shape, the patterns (31, 32, 33) of the second mask are distributed around the center (O2) of the second mask.

4. The lighting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mask (5) extends in a first plane (P1), and the second mask (6) extends in a second plane (P2), the second plane being parallel to the first plane and offset from the first plane.

5. The lighting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pattern (21) includes at least one opaque region (27) and at least one transparent region (28), and / or the second pattern (22, 23) includes at least one opaque region (27) and at least one transparent region (28).

6. The lighting device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern (32, 33) includes at least one opaque region (34), said at least one opaque region having a shape substantially similar to the shape of at least one transparent region (28C, 28D) of the first pattern (21) and / or the second pattern, the opaque region of the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern is capable of extending face-to-face with at least one transparent region of the first pattern and / or the second pattern.

7. The light-emitting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pattern (21) and / or the second pattern comprises at least one opaque region (27), a first transparent region (28A) and at least one second transparent region (28B, 28C, 28D), the second transparent region being separated from the first transparent region by the opaque region of the first mask, the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern (32) comprises a transparent region (35) and an opaque region (34), the transparent region of the third pattern and / or the transparent region of the fourth pattern being able to extend face-to-face with the first transparent region of the first pattern and / or the first transparent region of the second pattern, and the opaque region of the third pattern and / or the opaque region of the fourth pattern being able to extend face-to-face with the second transparent region of the first pattern and / or the second transparent region of the second pattern.

8. The light-emitting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (18) comprises a first stop (19) fastened to the first mask (5), the first stop cooperating with a second stop (20) fastened to the second mask (6) such that when the first stop abuts against the second stop, movement of the first mask causes movement of the second mask.

9. The light-emitting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (18) comprises an electromagnetic device configured to optionally fasten the second mask to the first mask and / or to an element of the actuator.

10. The light-emitting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mask (5) is rotatable between its first position and its second position, the drive device (18) being configured such that: - rotating the first mask (5) from its first position to its second position in a first rotation direction causes movement of the second mask (6), and - rotating the first mask (5) from its first position to its second position in a second rotation direction opposite to the first direction does not cause movement of the second mask (6).

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